Ultrasonography screening of hepatic cystic echinococcosis in sheep flocks used for evaluating control progress in a remote mountain area of Hejing County, Xinjiang.

BACKGROUND: Although ultrasonography (US) has been widely used in the diagnosis of human diseases to monitor the progress of cystic echinococcosis (CE) control, the screening method for hepatic CE in sheep flocks requires adjustment. In this study, we used a US scanner to screen sheep flocks and evaluated the efficacy of dosing dogs once a year with praziquantel for 7 years from 2014 to 2021. METHODS: All sheep in the three flocks were screened using an ultrasound scanner in 2014 and compared with the prevalence of infection in 2021 in Bayinbuluke, Xinjiang, China. Sheep age was determined using incisor teeth. Cyst activity and calcification were determined using US images. The dogs were dewormed with praziquantel once a year to control echinococcosis in the community. RESULTS: Three flocks had 968 sheep in 2014, with 13.22%, 22.62%, 18.7%, 27.27%, 11.88%, and 6.3% of sheep aged 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and ≥ 6 years old, respectively. US scanning revealed that the overall CE prevalence was 38.43% (372/968), with active cysts and calcified cysts present in 9.40% (91/968) and 29.02% (281/968) of the sheep, respectively. For the young sheep aged 1 and 2 years, the prevalence of active and calcified cysts was: 1.56% and 0.91%, and 10.94% and 18.72%, respectively. Approximately 15.15% and 16.52% of the 4- and 5-year-old sheep, respectively, harbored active cysts. There was no significant difference in the infection rates of sheep between 2014 and 2021 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: US is a practical tool for the field screening of CE in sheep flocks. One-third of the sheep population in the flocks was 1-2 years old, and these sheep played a very limited role in CE transmission, as most of the cysts were calcified. Old sheep, especially culled aged sheep, play a key role in the transmission of CE. Dosing dogs once a year did not affect echinococcosis control.

Computed tomographic appearance of canine hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, affecting dogs as accidental intermediate hosts. CT is increasingly used for abdominal imaging in small animals, providing valuable information, particularly for large masses and limited ultrasound accessibility. This study describes CT findings of hepatic lesions in 13 dogs with AE. All cases displayed well-defined cavitary lesions in the liver. Lesions showed minimal to no contrast uptake in the periphery, no uptake centrally, irregular internal walls, and soft tissue septa. Eight of 13 cases exhibited large cavitary masses (mean diameter 18.7 cm) with thick walls and feathery mineralization. Three of 13 cases had multiple smaller cavitary lesions with thin walls and without mineralization (mean diameter 8.4 cm). Two of 13 cases presented with both lesion types. These findings suggest two typical CT appearances correlated with AE: large thick-walled- and smaller thin-walled lesions. These groups may represent different stages of AE, with smaller lesions merging and progressing into larger ones. In conclusion, CT provides valuable information in evaluating hepatic lesions in dogs with AE. Large cavitary, thick-walled liver lesions with feathery wall mineralization, irregular inner margination, septation, and no central contrast uptake strongly indicate hepatic AE in dogs, differentiating it from other masses.

ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS TREATMENT OF HEPATIC HYDATIDOSIS IN TWO RED-SHANKED DOUC LANGURS (PYGATHRIX NEMAEUS).

Hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus ortleppi is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for critically endangered captive langurs in northern Vietnam. The most common sites for hydatid cyst development are the liver and the lungs. Chemotherapy trials with albendazole alone or in combination with praziquantel in these langurs had varying results and in most cases were ineffective. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration of cystic fluid followed by instillation and re-aspiration of a scolicidal agent (PAIR technique), has gained importance in the treatment of active hepatic cysts in humans and in many cases is preferred over surgical and endoscopic approaches. The PAIR technique was used in two red-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nemaeus) for the treatment of unilocular active hepatic cysts. The technique was found to be fairly easy to perform, safe, and effective and should be a useful treatment tool for hepatic hydatidosis in langurs and other nonhuman primate species.

Response patterns in adventitial layer of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto cysts from naturally infected cattle and sheep.

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. The disease is characterized by the development of cystic structures inside viscera of the intermediate host, mainly liver and lungs. These cysts are formed by three layers: germinal, laminated, and adventitial layer, the latter being the local host immune response. Metacestodes that develop protoscoleces, the infective stage to the definitive host, are termed fertile, whereas cysts that do not produce protoscoleces are termed non-fertile. Sheep usually harbor fertile cysts while cattle usually harbor non-fertile cysts. Adventitial layers with fibrotic resolution are associated to fertile cysts, whereas a granulomatous reaction is associated with non-fertile cysts. The aim of this study was to analyze cellular distribution in the adventitial layer of fertile and non-fertile E. granulosus sensu stricto cysts found in liver and lungs of cattle and sheep. A total of 418 cysts were analyzed, 203 from cattle (8 fertile and 195 non-fertile) and 215 from sheep (64 fertile and 151 non-fertile). Fertile cysts from cattle showed mixed patterns of response, with fibrotic resolution and presence of granulomatous response in direct contact with the laminated layer, while sheep fertile cysts always displayed fibrotic resolution next to the laminated layer. Cattle non-fertile cysts display a granulomatous reaction in direct contact with the laminated layer, whereas sheep non-fertile cysts display a granulomatous reaction, but in direct contact with the fibrotic resolution. This shows that cattle and sheep cystic echinococcosis cysts have distinct local immune response patterns, which are associated to metacestode fertility.

A study on causes of cattle liver condemnation at an abattoir in Omdurman area, Khartoum State, Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Information obtained from abattoirs on the causes of liver condemnation is important in preventing the spread of diseases and for promoting food security. The current study reviews three years (2009 to 2011) postmortem inspection records of cattle slaughtered at an abattoir in Omdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan. The aim was to determine the prevalence of diseases and conditions that lead to liver condemnation. RESULTS: From a total of 234,175 cattle slaughtered, 8,910 (3.8%) livers were condemned due to several diseases/conditions mainly fasciolosis, cysticercosis, necrosis, abscess, calcification, hemorrhages, liver cirrhosis, hydatidosis, and other miscellaneous causes. Collectively, fasciolosis was the leading cause of liver condemnation and was responsible for 51.6 % of total liver condemnations followed by necrosis (18.6%), and cysticercosis (13.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Because of their zoonotic nature, the observed high frequency of some detected diseases/conditions is thought to pose a public health risk among consumers. This survey could be used as a regional baseline for future monitoring of control programmers against these liver diseases.

Relationship between hepatic grayish-white solid nodules in horses imported from Canada and larval Echinococcus multilocularis infection.

Histopathological and genetic examinations were conducted on grayish-white solid hepatic nodules in 150 horses imported from Canada, in order to investigate larval Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Ten of the 150 horses (6.7%) were diagnosed with alveolar hydatid disease. The sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b genes obtained from all 10 polymerase chain reaction positive samples had 99 to 100% identity with the European haplotype E1 of E. multilocularis. Therefore, we concluded that the infections likely originated in Canada.

Relation entre les nodules hépatiques solides blanc-grisâtre trouvés chez des chevaux importés du Canada et l'infection larvaire à Echinococcus multilocularis . Des examens histopathologiques et génétiques ont été effectués sur des nodules hépatiques solides blanc-grisâtre observés chez 150 chevaux importés du Canada afin d'étudier l'infection larvaire à Echinococcus multilocularis. Dix des 150 chevaux (6,7 %) ont reçu un diagnostic de maladie hydatique alvéolaire. Les séquences des gènes mitochondriaux du cytochrome b obtenus à partir des 10 échantillons positifs par réaction d'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase ont montré une identité de 99 à 100 % avec l'haplotype européen E1 d'E. multilocularis. L'haplotype d'E. multilocularis obtenu à partir de cette étude suggère que les infections sont probablement originaires du Canada.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Percutaneous aspiration-injection-reaspiration (PAIR) for the treatment of abdominal cysts: Initial report in sheep and goat.

Percutaneous aspiration-injection-reaspiration (PAIR), also called sclerotherapy, is a minimally invasive, inexpensive and safe technique for the treatment of abdominal cysts in humans. A study was planned to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure in the management of abdominal cysts in sheep and goat. Adult ewes (n = 5) and one doe (n = 1) found to have abdominal cysts (one cyst/animal) on repeated survey ultrasonography (USG) were included in the study. The animals were restrained in standing position. A hypodermic needle (G-18) securely attached to a 10-mL Dispovan syringe was carefully passed under ultrasound guidance into the abdominal cyst in all these animals. Depending on the size of the cyst, 1.0-5.5 mL fluid was aspirated, and 0.5-2.0 mL of 20% hypertonic saline solution infused. The needle was thereafter kept in situ for 10 min. The maximum possible volume of the cyst content was reaspirated and the needle withdrawn. On day 7, sclerotherapy was repeated in five animals showing no appreciable reduction in cyst size by USG. USG was repeated on days 30 and 90. All the cysts except one responded to PAIR during this period. From this study it can be concluded that sclerotherapy using hypertonic saline (20%) is a minimally invasive, inexpensive, effective and safe interventional ultrasonographic technique for the treatment of abdominal cysts in sheep and goats. However, the procedure needs further evaluation after using different sclerotic agents of varying concentrations and duration of their retention in the cysts in a sufficient number of animals with cysts.

Fasciola hepatica coinfection modifies the morphological and immunological features of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in cattle.

Polyparasitism occurs when animals harbour multiple parasites concomitantly. It is a common occurrence but is generally understudied in wild and domestic animals. Fasciola hepatica and Echinococcus granulosus, which are helminths of ungulates, frequently coinfect cattle. The effects of this particular type of polyparasitism are not well documented. The metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus is surrounded by the adventitial layer, which constitutes the host immune response to the parasite. This layer in cattle is produced by a granulomatous reaction and is involved in echinococcal cyst (EC) fertility. Due to the systemic immune-modulating abilities of Fasciola hepatica, coinfection possibly generates a favourable environment for EC growth. A total of 203 Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto cysts were found in 82 cattle, of which 42 ECs were found in 31 animals coinfected with Fasciola hepatica. The overall infection intensity was 3 cysts per animal. Coinfection with Fasciola hepatica decreased the mean infection intensity to 1.4 cysts per animal. Regarding EC size, coinfection resulted in smaller ECs (15.91 vs 22.09 mm), especially for infertile lung cysts. The adventitial layer of ECs in coinfected animals lacked lymphoid follicles and palisading macrophages, which are generally hallmarks of the granulomatous immune response. The ECs in coinfected animals had organized laminated layers, whereas those in animals without coinfection did not. Although coinfection was not statistically associated with EC fertility, we did not find fertile cysts in the livers of coinfected animals. We concluded that coinfection with Fasciola hepatica and Echinococcus granulosus has a detrimental effect on ECs, particularly infertile cysts.

Molecular survey on cattle and sheep hydatidosis and first detection of Echinococcus canadensis (G6/G7) in sheep in Turkey.

Larval stage of genus Echinococcus is the causing agent for the zoonotic infection which is life threatening known as Echinococcosis. The purpose of this study was the identification, molecular analysis and characterization of Echinococcus spp. in sheep and cattle. The sampling was done from slaughterhouse of Elazig, Turkey. A total of 85 isolates (sheep, n = 19 and cattle, n = 66) have been collected after slaughtering. Following the gDNA isolation and PCR products of mt-CO1 gene (446 bp) of all the samples were sequenced. Out of 85 isolates, 84 were recognized as Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto and one sheep isolate was found as Echinococcus canadensis (G6/G7 ) which is identified for the first time in Turkey. However, single nucleotide polymorphism has been observed not only in samples of different animals but also in samples collected from the same cattle. Six liver and three lung hydatid cysts have been detected in cattle. Although no nucleotide differences have been observed in the liver samples, there was single nucleotide polymorphism (C→T) in 40th nucleotide of two lung cysts. As a result of haplotype analysis, 16 haplotypes of E. granulosus s.s. were detected in 66 cattle isolates whereas 7 haplotypes of E. granulosus s.s. were identified in 19 sheep samples.

Alveolar echinococcosis in an Ontario dog resembling an hepatic abscess.

A boxer dog was evaluated because of lethargy, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Ultrasonography revealed multiple cystic structures in the abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed 3 well-encapsulated hepatic masses and abdominal effusion with suppurative inflammation. Collectively, these findings suggested the hepatic masses were most likely abscesses. However, histologic examination of the hepatic masses revealed multi-cystic structures, consistent with alveolar echinococcosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The dog was treated with daily albendazole, but within a few weeks exhibited adverse side effects. After 6 months, the dog's condition deteriorated, and it was euthanized.

Échinococcose alvéolaire ressemblant à un abcès hépatique chez un chien en Ontario. Un chien de race boxer fut évalué à cause de léthargie, vomissements, et douleur abdominale. Une échographie révéla de multiples structures kystiques dans l'abdomen. Une laparotomie exploratoire révéla trois masses hépatiques bien encapsulées et une effusion abdominale avec inflammation suppurative. Collectivement, ces données suggéraient que les masses hépatiques étaient fort probablement des abcès. Toutefois, l'examen histologique des masses hépatiques révéla des structures multi-kystiques, compatibles avec une échinococcose alvéolaire. Le diagnostic fut confirmé par séquençage d'ADN. Le chien fut traité avec de l'albendazole quotidiennement, mais en quelques semaines il montra des signes d'effets adverses. Après 6 mois la condition du chien se détériora et il fut euthanasié.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

ECHINOCOCCUS EQUINUS HYDATID CYST IN THE LIVER OF A PRZEWALSKI'S HORSE ( EQUUS PRZEWALSKII) IN A CANADIAN ZOO.

A 23-yr-old captive-born Przewalski's horse mare ( Equus przewalskii) was euthanized at a Canadian zoo because of severe colic resulting from rupture of a jejunal pseudodiverticulum. An incidental finding of an encysted larval cestode within a hepatic granuloma was diagnosed on histopathology. Gel-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on liver tissue was positive for Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, and deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing of the PCR product was 100% homologous with Echinococcus equinus. This appears to be the first molecular confirmation of E. equinus in North America, and the first report of cystic echinococcosis in a Przewalski's horse.

Transmission ecology of taeniid larval cestodes in rodents in Sweden, a low endemic area for Echinococcus multilocularis.

Although local prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis may be high, this zoonotic parasite has an overall low prevalence in foxes and rodents in Sweden. To better understand opportunities for E. multilocularis transmission in the Swedish environment, the aim of this study was to investigate other taeniid cestodes and to relate observed patterns to E. multilocularis. Cestode parasites were examined in fox feces and rodents caught in different habitats from four regions of Sweden. Arvicola amphibius and Microtus agrestis were parasitized with Versteria mustelae, Hydatigera taeniaeformis s. l., and E. multilocularis, whereas Myodes glareolus and Apodemus spp. were parasitized with V. mustelae, Taenia polyacantha, H. taeniaeformis s.l., and Mesocestoides spp. Rodents caught in field habitat (Ar. amphibius, Mi. agrestis) were more likely (OR 10, 95% CI 5-19) to be parasitized than rodents caught in forest habitat (My. glareolus, Apodemus spp.). The parasite preference for each rodent species was present regardless of the type of background contamination from fox feces. These results further support the importance of both ecological barriers and individual species susceptibility in parasite transmission, and indicate that future monitoring for E. multilocularis in the Swedish environment should focus in field habitats where Mi. agrestis and Ar. amphibius are abundant.

Retrospective analyses of fox feces by real-time PCR to identify new endemic areas of Echinococcus multilocularis in France.

Alveolar echinococcosis is considered to be the most serious zoonosis in the Northern Hemisphere's cold or temperate regions. In Europe, the parasite has a sylvatic life cycle based on predator-prey interactions, mainly between red foxes and small rodents. Echinococcus multilocularis has been observed to have spread across Europe over the last three decades. In France, a westward spread of the parasite's known endemic areas has been described. In this study, a retrospective analysis of fox feces by real-time PCR was carried out in four départements not previously investigated and considered free along with two endemic control departments. The fox feces collected from 2000 to 2004 were analyzed by real-time PCR. Fecal prevalence in the two endemic departments of Doubs and Côte d'Or were estimated at 12 % [6.4-20.0 %] and 4.2 % [1.1-10.3 %], respectively. No positive samples were identified among the 72 feces collected in Drôme or the 112 from Allier, which is consistent with the very low expected prevalence should the parasite be present. Three positive samples were recovered in the Seine-Maritime and Hautes-Alpes départements, resulting in a prevalence of 3.5 % [0.7-10.0 %] and 2.5 % [0.5-7.1 %], respectively. From now on, Hautes-Alpes constitutes the new southern border of the endemic areas in France and confirms the southward expansion previously highlighted. Real-time copro-PCR proved useful in identifying new endemic areas even with low prevalence. Due to the spread of E. multilocularis in France and associated zoonotic risk, it is necessary to expand surveillance in order to fully define all the country's endemic areas. On a continental scale, the development and harmonization of surveillance programs are now needed in order to obtain a global overview of the presence of E. multilocularis and to tailor potential countermeasures.

Description of vertebral and liver alveolar echinococcosis cases in Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

BACKGROUND: Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, is a fox tapeworm widely distributed in Europe with an increase of endemic area in recent years. Many mammal species including humans and non-human primates can be infected by accidental ingestion of eggs. CASE PRESENTATION: In March 2011, a 5-year-old zoo-raised male cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) presented a paresis of the lower limbs which evolved into paralysis. Lesions in liver and vertebra were observed on tomography scan. E. multilocularis infection was diagnosed post-mortem by morphological and histological examination and detection of Em DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Serodiagnosis of other primates of the colony using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was negative. In June 2013, at necroscopy, a hepatic and a paravertebral masses were detected in a second cynomolgus macaque of the same colony. Serology and DNA isolated from hepatic and abdominal cysts confirmed E. multilocularis infection. CONCLUSIONS: We described hear vertebral and liver localization of alveolar echinococcosis in non-human primates. The animals lived in an indoor/outdoor housing facility, where the probable mode of contamination is by ingestion of food foraging around the enclosure which could be contaminated with fox feces. Serological survey in the facility should allow us to estimate the risk of human contamination and the zoonotic risk of monkey infection due to environmental contamination.

Pulmonary Echinococcus multilocularis metastasis in a dog.

A young adult Labrador retriever dog was presented for surgical debulking of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Computed tomography detected hepatomegaly with multiple large cavitary masses with extension of tissue from a lesion wall into the caudal vena cava and numerous nodules in all lung lobes. Following euthanasia, histology confirmed parasitic vesicles with granulomatous reaction in all lesions, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) established the causative agent to be Echinococcus multilocularis. This report is the first to present imaging features of pulmonary E. multilocularis granulomata in a dog.

Métastases pulmonaires d'Echinococcus multilocularischez un chien. À l'examen par tomodensitométrie d'un Labrador retriever jeune adulte référé pour résection de lésions hépatiques d'échinococcose alvéolaire, une hépatomégalie avec présence de larges masses cavitaires fut mise en évidence, de même que l'extension de la paroi d'une lésion à l'intérieur de la veine cave caudale, et de nombreux nodules pulmonaires. Après euthanasie, des vésicules parasitiques associés à une réaction granulomateuse furent confirmés histologiquement dans toutes les lésions évaluées, et E. multilocularis fût démontré par PCR être l'agent causal. Ce rapport de cas est le premier à présenter les caractéristiques de lésions pulmonaires d'E. multilocularis chez le chien.(Traduit par les auteurs).

INFECTION OF A GOELDI'S MONKEY (CALLIMICO GOELDII) WITH A EUROPEAN STRAIN OF ECHINOCOCCUS MULTILOCULARIS IN A CANADIAN INSTITUTION.

A 12-yr-old female Goeldi's monkey (Callimico goeldii) in British Columbia, Canada was diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) on postmortem examination. Echinococcus multilocularis has been identified in several species of nonhuman primates, most frequently Old World primates, in zoos and research facilities in Europe and Asia. The strain affecting this monkey was identified as a European haplotype, indistinguishable from E. multilocularis recently identified in several canids in British Columbia. The animal is suspected to have been exposed while living in a zoological institution in Alberta, where E. multilocularis has also been reported in urban coyotes. Alveolar echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease of increasing concern in the United States and Canada, and this disease should be considered on the differential list of any nonhuman primate exhibiting signs of abdominal pain or distension, along with diagnostic imaging consistent with cystic structures of the liver or other organs.

A village-based multidisciplinary study on factors affecting the intensity of cystic echinococcosis in an endemic region of the Tibetan plateau, China.

SUMMARY: We investigated and quantified the factors which may affect the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus in Rangtang County using a multidisciplinary approach. From a previously performed field survey, epidemiological data were linked with environmental data. Altitude and land surface temperature were extracted from remote-sensing images. Cumulative logistic regression models were used to identify and quantify the potential risk factors. The multiple regression models confirmed that yaks (χ 2 = 4·0447, P = 0·0443), dogs (χ 2 = 8·3455, P = 0·0039) and altitude (χ2 = 7·6223, P = 0·0058) were positively correlated with the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis, while land surface temperature may have a negative association. The findings showed that dogs and yaks play the most important role in the transmission of cystic echinococcosis, while altitude and land surface temperature may also be involved in the transmission.

Hepatic alveolar hydatid disease (Echinococcus multilocularis) in a boxer dog from southern Ontario.

A 2-year-old boxer dog from southern Ontario was evaluated because of acute onset lethargy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a hemorrhagic, destructive, liver mass. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction confirmed Echinococcus multilocularis as the cause of the hepatic mass. This constitutes the first description of endemic E. multilocularis in Ontario.

Hydatidose alvéolaire hépatique(Echinococcus multilocularis)chez un chien Boxer du Sud de l'Ontario. Un chien Boxer âgé de 2 ans du Sud de l'Ontario a été évalué en raison d'un début soudain d'une léthargie. Une laparatomie exploratoire a révélé une masse hépatique hémorragique et destructrice. L'histologie, l'immunohistochimie et l'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase ont confirmé Echinococcus multilocularis comme la cause de la masse hépatique. Il s'agit de la première description d'E. multilocularis endémique en Ontario.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Comparative analysis of host immune responses to Hydatid cyst in human and ovine hepatic cystic Echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Hydatid disease is caused by the larval stages of the canine tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. It is one of the most critical helminthic diseases, representing worldwide public health and socio-economic concern. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the expression of apoptosis and immune response within hepatic tissues of humans and sheep infected with the Hydatid cyst. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissue was prepared from each tissue sample and used for histopathological examination by Haematoxylin- Eosin. Also, toluidine blue staining was used for mast cell detection, while an immunohistochemical study was performed to assess CD3 T lymphocytes, CD4 helper T lymphocytes, CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CD20 memory B lymphocytes, CD68 macrophage, and caspase-3 antibodies. RESULTS: The histological examination revealed significant changes, including the infiltration of inflammatory cells, predominantly lymphocytes with scattered giant cells, necrotic hepatic tissue, and fibrosis. Toluidine blue stain revealed a higher number of mast cells (5 cells/field) in humans compared to sheep (3.6 cells/field). The immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that the CD3 were the most predominant inflammatory cell in the hepatic tissue of humans (intensive 70%), and sheep (moderate 38.47%). Caspase-3 was observed in all samples in different grades and mostly in human liver tissue. CONCLUSION: This data could aid in recognizing immunological markers for differentiating disease progression, as well as enhance the understanding of local immune responses to cystic Echinococcosis (CE). The findings could provide preliminary data for future studies on immune responses associated with Hydatid cysts.

Untargeted metabolomics to discriminate liver and lung hydatid cysts: Importance of metabolites involved in the immune response.

The Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species complex is responsible for the neglected zoonotic disease known as cystic echinococcosis (CE). Humans and livestock are infected via fecal-oral transmission. CE remains prevalent in Western China, Central Asia, South America, Eastern Africa, and the Mediterranean. Approximately one million individuals worldwide are affected, influencing veterinary and public health, as well as social and economic matters. The infection causes slow-growing cysts, predominantly in the liver and lungs, but can also develop in other organs. The exact progression of these cysts is uncertain. This study aimed to understand the survival mechanisms of liver and lung CE cysts from cattle by determining their metabolite profiles through metabolomics and multivariate statistical analyses. Non-targeted metabolomic approaches were conducted using quadrupole-time-of-flight liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) to distinguish between liver and lung CE cysts. Data processing to extract the peaks on complex chromatograms was performed using XCMS. PCA and OPLS-DA plots obtained through multiple statistical analyses showed interactions of metabolites within and between groups. Metabolites such as glutathione, prostaglandin, folic acid, and cortisol that cause different immunological reactions have been identified both in liver and lung hydatid cysts, but in different ratios. Considering the differences in the metabolomic profiles of the liver and lung cysts determined in the present study will contribute research to enlighten the nature of the cyst and develop specific therapeutic strategies.